Souters Sports Complete Rhys Jones Community Pitches

Souters Sports, one of the UK’s leading natural sportsturf contractors have recently completed the regeneration of the Rhys Jones sports pitches in Croxteth, Liverpool.

The Rhys Jones sports pitches are in memory of Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones, who was tragically murdered on his way back from football practice in August 2007 near his Croxteth home. The project is extremely close to the communities’ heart, with a trust being created to raise money for the project within the community, it rose over £250,000 in donations and the city council also provided in excess of £250,000 to finalise the project.

The project required a complete regeneration of the existing open playing field to include two artificial sports pitches. Playrite Conqueror 3G carpet surface was chosen, which also included floodlights and 3m high fencing, car parking and a community centre building with a range of different rooms to accommodate for different functions and events.

The works consisted of the installation of 168m of piped drainage system to accommodate both artificial sports pitches and the car park. All surface water was retained on site and discharged back into the ground water table via a soakaway. As well as 900 tonnes of type one stone to form a dynamic base, changing rooms, meeting room, reception and management office, male and female toilets and an accessible WC, hard and soft landscaping (including featured pavers band to entrance), five bicycle bays, multi-use function room external refuge storage and an external canopy zone.

It was important for Souters Sports to hold regular meetings with the trust members and the local community members due to the sensitivity of the project.

Robert Heath, contracts director at Souters Sports said: “The Centre was always designed with children in mind and the trust is proud that they are providing free coaching and assistance. Souters Sports are proud to have constructed the new facilities in memory of Rhys and look forward to the centre being used for many years to come.”

The facility is now being run by the trust and is already servicing some of the community’s needs with groups utilising the facilities for meetings and events. The centre has already become an ideal spot for children’s football and dance parties.

Mark Mac Coughlin Centre Manager said, “The pitches are up to 60% usage and everyone is commenting on how good the surface is. We are very thankful to the good work done by Souters Sports.”